Kelowna Real Estate
The complete guide to buying a home in BC's Okanagan hub. From lakefront estates in Lower Mission to family-friendly Kettle Valley—find your neighbourhood.
$1.09M
Avg. Home Price
165,000+
Population
40+
Nearby Wineries
8
Key Neighbourhoods
Giuseppe Gaspari
REALTOR® | Okanagan Real Estate Specialist
Helping families find their perfect Okanagan home since 2018
Last updated: January 2026
Why Kelowna?
Kelowna runs the show in the Okanagan. It's where you'll find the hospital, the university, the international airport, and honestly, most of the traffic. If you're looking at the Okanagan Valley and wondering where to plant roots, Kelowna is probably already on your shortlist—and for good reason.
The city sits on the eastern shore of Okanagan Lake, stretched out along about 40 kilometres of waterfront. Population just crossed 165,000 in the city proper, with the greater metro area (including West Kelowna, Lake Country, and Peachland) hitting 254,000. That makes it the third-largest metro area in BC, behind only Vancouver and Victoria.
Here's the deal with Kelowna real estate: it's not cheap, but it's not Vancouver either. The average single-family home sold for $1,094,256 in December 2025—up about 4% from the year before. Condos run around $500,000, townhomes typically exceed $700,000. Those numbers might seem high if you're coming from Alberta or Saskatchewan, but people moving from the Lower Mainland often feel like they've found a bargain.
Kelowna is great for:
- ✓Young professionals wanting city amenities without big-city prices
- ✓Families chasing outdoor lifestyle plus good schools
- ✓Retirees seeking mild winters and easy healthcare access
- ✓Investors who like strong fundamentals
What you won't find:
- ×Cheap waterfront (those days are gone)
- ×Transit that works outside downtown
- ×Affordable housing for service workers
- ×Peace from tourists in summer
New to the Okanagan?
I can help you understand which neighbourhood fits your lifestyle and budget.
Kelowna Neighbourhoods
Kelowna isn't one thing. A condo in Pandosy Village and a house in Kettle Valley might as well be in different cities. The neighbourhood you choose determines everything.
Lower Mission
$1.5M+Prestige lakefront
Kelowna's prestige address. Lakefront estates, heritage homes on Lakeshore Road, and the best beaches in the city. Anne McClymont Elementary and OKM Secondary are among the best public schools.
Best for: Executives, retirees with means, families wanting top schools
Upper Mission
$1M - $2MNewer builds & views
Contemporary builds, bigger lots, and mountain views instead of lake views. Crawford Elementary and Chute Lake Elementary feed into Canyon Falls Middle School.
Best for: Families wanting new construction and space
Glenmore
$1.1M avgSuburban sweet spot
Golf courses, newer shopping at Glenmore Landing, and a mix of housing from the 1980s through today. Glenmore Elementary is well-regarded.
Best for: Move-up buyers, golf enthusiasts, families
Rutland
$944K avgAffordable & improving
Kelowna's most affordable option for families wanting a detached home. About 20% below city average. UBCO nearby means young families are moving in.
Best for: First-time buyers, young families, investors
Downtown & Pandosy
$350K - $800KUrban walkability
Walk to everything—coffee shops, restaurants, the waterfront. Mostly condo inventory, from older buildings to newer high-rises with lake views.
Best for: Young professionals, downsizers
Kettle Valley
$800K - $1.5MAward-winning community
Won 'Best Community in Canada' from Canadian Home Builders' Association. Master-planned with great schools, parks, trails, and a village centre.
Best for: Families with young kids wanting turnkey suburban life
Dilworth
VariesTrails in your backyard
Often overlooked, which keeps prices reasonable. Centred around Knox Mountain Park—trails literally in your backyard. Mix of ranchers and character homes.
Best for: Active buyers who want central location and outdoor access
Black Mountain
$900K - $1.3M+Backcountry meets city
Closest to Big White and Myra-Bellevue trails. Mountain views, larger lots. You're trading commute time for a quieter lifestyle.
Best for: Outdoor enthusiasts, families wanting space
Data sourced from BC Assessment and local MLS listings
Schools & Families
School District 23 serves over 22,000 students across Kelowna, West Kelowna, Lake Country, and Peachland. It's one of BC's largest districts, and the six-year graduation rate hovers between 92-95%—above provincial average.
One thing to know: Kelowna doesn't have an IB program. The nearest IB schools are in Vernon or Penticton.
Top Elementary Schools
- Anne McClymont (Lower Mission) — Fraser Institute 6.8/10, highest public rating
- Chute Lake Elementary (Kettle Valley) — Modern campus, strong parent engagement
- Glenmore Elementary — Solid mid-range, good extracurriculars
Secondary Schools
- Okanagan Mission Secondary (OKM) — 7.9 Fraser rating, strong academics + theatre
- Kelowna Secondary (KSS) — Downtown, offers AP courses
- Mount Boucherie — West Kelowna, draws some Glenmore students
Private Options
- Aberdeen Hall Prep — Premium K-12, Fraser 8.9/10, ~$20K/year
- Kelowna Christian — Faith-based, Fraser 8.6/10, ~$10K/year
Lifestyle & Recreation
Let's be real: nobody moves to Kelowna for the job market. They move for the lifestyle and figure out work after.
Lake Life
135 km of Okanagan Lake. Paddleboarding, wakeboarding, sailing, or just floating. Three marinas, countless launch ramps.
Wine Country
40+ wineries within 20 minutes. Mission Hill, Quails' Gate, Summerhill—international award winners in your backyard.
Winter Sports
Big White is 56 km away. 7.5m avg snowfall, 119 runs. Season passes ~$1,200-1,500.
Golf & Trails
12+ golf courses, 6-month season. Knox Mountain for hiking, Myra-Bellevue for mountain biking.
What Your Money Gets You
~$500K
Condo downtown (850-1,000 sq ft, 1-2 bed) or older townhome in Rutland. Starter home territory.
~$750K
Townhome in most neighbourhoods, or dated single-family in Rutland/Glenmore. 3 bed, small yard, 1,400-1,800 sq ft.
$1M+
Single-family opens up. $1M in Glenmore = nice updated 2,500+ sq ft. $1.2-1.5M = newer builds in Upper Mission/Kettle Valley.
Market Conditions (Late 2025)
Inventory: ~8 months supply (higher than 4-month balanced norm)
Days on market: 45-60 days average (vs 15-20 at 2022 peak)
Buyer conditions: More negotiating power than recent years
Outlook: Interest rates are the wild card for 2026
Wondering what you can afford?
Let's talk numbers. I'll give you an honest assessment based on your situation.
Why Work With Giuseppe?
I'm not the agent for everyone. If you want someone to tell you every house is "amazing" and pressure you to make an offer by Sunday, we won't work well together.
What I do: give you straight information and let you make decisions. I know which streets in Rutland are fine and which to avoid. I know which downtown buildings have construction defects. I know where the next development is going.
My approach: figure out what you actually need, show you options that match, and tell you the honest downsides along with the selling points. If a place isn't right, I'll say so—even if it means you don't buy this month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kelowna a good place to buy real estate in 2025/2026?
It depends on your timeline. The market has more inventory than we've seen in years, which means buyers have negotiating power. If you're planning to hold for 5+ years, Kelowna's fundamentals—constrained land supply, lifestyle appeal, population growth—suggest values will appreciate.
What's the most affordable neighbourhood?
Rutland. You'll find single-family homes 15-20% below city average, and condos starting in the low $200,000s. Yes, it has some rougher pockets, but do your homework on specific streets.
How much do I need for a down payment?
Under $500K: 5% minimum. $500K-$999K: 5% on first $500K, 10% on remainder. Over $1M: 20% required. For that $1.1M average home, you're looking at $220,000 minimum.
What are the best neighbourhoods for families?
Kettle Valley for new construction and planned community. Upper Mission for schools and views. Glenmore for balance of value and amenities. Lower Mission if you can afford it—best schools in the city.
Is Kelowna better than West Kelowna?
Different, not better. West Kelowna is more affordable, has small-town feel, and puts you closer to wine country. Kelowna has more amenities, the hospital, UBCO, and more urban energy.
What's the best time of year to buy?
Late fall and winter (November-February) typically see less competition and more motivated sellers. Spring brings more inventory but also more buyers. Summer is peak season with highest prices.
What about wildfire risk?
It's a real consideration, especially in interface areas like Black Mountain and Upper Mission. Check FireSmart ratings, insurance costs, and emergency evacuation routes. Factor this into any purchase decision.
How's the rental market?
Tight. Vacancy rates are under 2%, and rent for a two-bedroom runs $1,800-2,400/month. Strong rental demand makes Kelowna attractive for investors, but short-term rental regulations have tightened.
What closing costs should I expect?
Property Transfer Tax (1% on first $200K, 2% on $200K-$2M), legal fees ($1,500-2,500), home inspection ($400-600), title insurance (~$300). First-time buyers may be exempt from PTT on homes under $500K.
Are there new developments coming?
Yes. The city is pushing density with new townhome and condo projects throughout Glenmore and Rutland. Provincial housing legislation is adding 'missing middle' housing. Downtown continues seeing waterfront high-rises.
Explore Other Okanagan Communities
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